Real election victory is that sexuality was not made an issue

This past election appears to have been a tipping point of sorts for gay rights.

Three states passed same-sex marriage initiatives. Another rejected a constitutional ban on gay marriage. And the first openly gay senator was elected to the U.S. Senate.

In Missouri, an openly gay state senator was selected to lead the minority caucus - and nobody really mentioned her sexuality.

While the election provided evidence that the country's attitudes toward homosexuality are shifting, the fact that sexuality was not an issue when Jolie Justus took the gavel in the Democratic caucus may represent something even more significant.

Justus, 41, a native of Branson, represents the 10th District in Kansas City. She was first elected to the state senate in 2006 and re-elected last week. She has been the assistant leader of the Democratic caucus for the past two years, leading to her selection as leader this year.

"My sexual orientation has never been an issue when it comes to my leadership skills or my ability to work with my colleagues in the Senate," Justus said.

In fact, her sexual orientation has never been an issue for Justus. She was elected by a large majority and has worked on the same issues that affect people of all orientations - the economy, jobs and education.

Tammy Baldwin's race for the U.S. Senate in Wisconsin shared that experience.

Beating former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, Baldwin, who has served in the House of Representatives since 1999, had a record to run on. She is now the first openly lesbian in the U.S. Senate.

Openly gay, lesbian and bisexual candidates won elections across the country Nov. 6, many representing "firsts." They did that by running on the same issues as the other candidates and by using the same political process.

We don't expect this to change closely held beliefs about homosexuality, many based on sincere religious faith, but we do see a shift in the national conversation.

Like other civil rights issues, that shift can be slow to start and difficult to accept, but once it takes hold, there is no stopping it.

Also like other civil rights battles, this one is not finished. People can still be fired or refused housing because of their sexuality.

Despite Justus and other Democrats proposing legislation to ban such discrimination, the bills have never made it to a floor vote, just as efforts at the Springfield level were tabled.

A group plans to start circulating petitions for a ballot measure, which may be the best way for Missouri to step forward.

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Real election victory is that sexuality was not made an issue

This past election appears to have been a tipping point of sorts for gay rights. Three states passed same-sex marriage initiatives. Another rejected a constitutional ban on gay marriage. And the